10 Things That Make Me Happy: Poetic & Chic

This Monday morning I'm very pleased to have Annie from Poetic & Chic guest blogging about her "10 things." I first met Annie at a Ruby Press event, we ran into each other sipping champagne and quickly found out we had many things in common and were also next door neighbors. Now we run into each other in our tiny neighborhood all the time.

Annie not only started her blog Poetic & Chic, but also two other businesses. Sourdough is a line of jackets and accessories crafted from vintage barkcloth fabric and Pointed Letters Creative is her freelance company.

Thanks for guest blogging her today lovely neighbor. See you around our hood!

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I am so honored to become a part of the Sacramento Street “Ten Things” club! It’s been a delightful list to make, but I do wish we weren’t limited to ten things! I have so many things to love that I should do a different list of ten for each day of the week. Since most of my readers already know my obsession for classic film and museum exhibits, I decided to make a departure and get down to some practical, useful, beautiful things that I enjoy all the time (which most of you may not know about)!

Red Shoes

True, I do love The Red Shoes as a film, but my love for red shoes goes beyond the silver screen. I’m just drawn to them and find it difficult to say no. I think I have four or five pairs of red shoes of different types and I’m always on the hunt for more. I love red anything really, but I find red shoes are one of the best ways to wear the color; it’s the perfect way to add a splashy accent to a neutral look and it reveals a certain intrepid character streak too! (Christian Louboutin Metallic Patent Pumps $585 at Saks Fifth Avenue.)

Scented Candles

I’m obsessed with scented candles. I don’t know where this comes from, but I think it comes from the thrill of the hunt; scented candles are not made equal, so finding an excellent one is a true find! The Diptyque candles are always amazing – I love Figuier, Muguet, and Feuille de Lavande. Williams-Sonoma Home’s Safari candle is fantastic, and I was pleasantly surprised by the Liberty of London for Target candles as well! Next, I’m eager to try candles from Astier de Villatte ($75 at Sue Fisher King).

Statement Rings

I’m always on the hunt for my next favorite ring. I love big, fun, statement-making rings. Kenneth Jay Lane is always the first brand I look at when thinking about rings. I love this one with the bird – I can already imagine how much I’d wear it! ($120 at Max & Chloe.)

Vintage Postcards

I’ve been collecting vintage postcards for years now. I love to group them together to create wall art with Ikea’s Clips Frames. There’s a set of Parisian postcards in my hallway, and a set of Waikiki postcards in my bathroom. It’s like I get a glimpse of Diamond Head every time I go in there. My favorite kinds of vintage postcards have a scalloped edge and some kind of cheesy, vacation-y greeting like “Wish You Were Here”…

Bath Products

Bath products are the last bastion of everyday luxuries. Some of my favorites include Sabon New York’s Lavender Patchouli Vanilla salt scrub, Molton Brown’s Heavenly Gingerlily bath gel, and even Boot’s Bergamot and Clary Sage bubble bath which can be found at Target! (Sabon Salt - $30)

The Metropolitan Opera in HD

I know this is an odd thing to put on this list, but it really does make me happy. I’m a big fan of opera and ticket prices are simply outrageous! So why not indulge in a luxurious habit on public television? Like all of the performing arts, it makes all the difference in the world to see the production acted and sung the way it was meant to be seen. Opera is becoming a dying art unfortunately, and I love that The Met is sharing its performances with the larger world to garner new interest. Backstage insights, cast and crew interviews, and amazing costumes – the whole thing is incredibly inspiring.

Artisan Pottery

I’ve been collecting pieces of vintage pottery here and there for a long time. Someday I’ll have enough shelves to display all of it together! While I love McCoy and Hull pieces, I also have a fondness for modern artists too. Ceramicist Whitney Smith is based in the Bay Area and makes lovely collectible pieces. I’m in love with her bird and dogwood cake plates, but this pomegranate vase took my breath away. Maybe because it’s red? ($78 at Whitney Smith Pottery.)

Pajamas

I love crisp cotton pajamas – BedHead is one of my favorite brands. Sometimes I do get overwhelmed by the girlie prints in shades of pink and green, so I’m driven to the men’s section for the more classic looks that I like best. I loved this Glen Plaid set in gray and black – it’s masculine, understated, and very sexy (for girls)! ($147 at BedHead.)

Bird Light Fixture

I saw this light fixture just the other day and now I cannot stop thinking about it. I love small birds and I’ve been thinking of getting some finches for my apartment. This light is so whimsical, colorful, airy, and playful that it just makes you smile. ($950 at Conran Shop.)

Studio Spaces

My apartment currently does triple duty, as an apartment space of course, but also as an office and as a studio for my design work and creative projects. Therefore when I see someone’s studio space I’m overcome with envy and imagination. This studio space from “The Brain” by Tom Kundig was designed for a filmmaker as a space for creativity. The books, windows, piano, floor…and space. To me, it’s pretty close to heaven.